How does epitranscriptomal disorder affects the tumorigenesis of HPV-associated head and neck cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20775
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0803:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Taniguchi Midori 九州大学, 医学研究院, 助教 (40965240)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: HPV / 頭頚部癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ratio and prognosis of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer have been documented, but little is understood about those of HPV-associated hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. In this research, association of HPV infection and state of Rb expression were revealed by chromogenic in situ Hybridization and immunohistochemistry of patients' histopathological specimen. Progression of HPV-associated cancer is better than HPV-independent carcinoma, but no difference was observed between HPV-associated or independent cancers in tumors of some anatomical locations or patterns of extension.

Free Research Field

人体病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

一般的に予後不良と言われてきた頭頚部癌のなかでも、HPV関連癌は予後良好であることが解明されている。HPV関連癌の病態解明は、過剰治療を防ぎ、機能の温存と治療後のQOLの改善へ寄与する。HPV関連癌であっても腫瘍の局在や進展によってはHPV陰性の癌と予後に差がない場合があるという本研究結果により、HPV陰性の癌と同等の治療強度が求められるHPV関連癌があることが考察され、治療方針決定にHPV関連癌かどうかだけではなく、腫瘍の解剖学的な情報も重要となりうることが示された。